Gold Boots and other Reasons to Love Turkey

July 18, 2016 By Leave a Comment

My heart is heavy hearing of the troubles in Turkey.  Actually not just Turkey —sadly, the world is mad. But this is a shoe blog and I wanna entertain you with pleasant tales of my travels to Turkey. (I like alliteration)

I am fortunate; I have visited Turkey a half dozen times, various cities. Istanbul is a fascinating city and has the best airport lounge I have ever crashed, including the 1st class Concorde lounge at JFK –that was pretty sweet I admit, but Istanbul wins. Yes you will need a fancy airline card to get in—but so worth it. It has been a place of many layovers for me. I am truly grateful for the oasis of peaceful luxury when on a hellish commute. Masseuses, 24 hours chefs, a movie theater, private sleeping areas, its all there in style. Truth be told I permanently barrowed one of the cute little porcelain coffee cups on my last past through—they are so adorable I took one home. And did I mention boundless amount of Turkish delight? Yum!

Turkey is modern, but not. You will see plenty of women still covered head to toe even in the summer, while the men sport shorts and tank tops. Don’t get me started on double standards.

On one of my visits while working a cruise ship we stopped to go to the Grand Bazaar. I can assure you nothing in your life will prepare you for the Grand Bazaar. If you think you have seen aggressive sales techniques and haggling in Mexico – I can assure you its preschool compared to the sales approaches in Turkey. They will follow you down the street, pull you out of another store, pull the ear buds from your ears, and the whole time “ Lady, lady, lady, what you need? I have for you. I make good price. Lady, lady, lady.” Really it is exhausting but interesting. Luckily for me there were these two women traveling on the ship who by their attire everyday were seeking lots of attention. I called them lovingly “sex on a stick”. They were attractive women with rockin’ bodies, so good for them. But they might have wanted to read up on the cultural norm for walking the streets of Turkey before heading out to the Grand Bazaar.  They were dressed for Rio, not old world Turkey. Short, tight, low cut and heels- Bam! The sales force of the Grand Bazaar were on high alert—and for me it was fabulous. I followed these ladies all day, no one bothered me or a least a lot less because you can’t complete with sex on a stick walking in front of you ;o)

‘But Laura, what’s all this have to do with gold boots?”

On another visit to Turkey— In the above-mentioned Istanbul airport a women had these- yes this exact pair of fabulous gold boots on and I had on bedazzled Uggs. I complimented her on the boots and she told me she loved my Uggs. Chat chat chat—we traded shoes. Yup, just like we were in primary school. I thought how wonderful. She is from Israel, I’m from American and we traded footwear in Turkey. I love how the world works and the fun you can have it you are open to it. International relations at it best—it’s all about the shoes.

Laura

 

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Rage with a Cherry on Top

July 10, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Rage is a feeling of intense, violent, or growing anger and if left unchecked, may lead to violence.

Sounds like the world today. Wouldn’t you agree? Pick any topic personal, local, national or global. Rage is everywhere. It’s affecting all of us as citizens of the world. The world is angry. I’m angry. I’m sure you are too.

I can honestly tell you until a few years ago I had never experienced rage. Maybe it’s an emotion you have to grow into. Now I have rage simmering below the surface all the time. Acts of rage aka what used to be called ‘going postal’ are often acts (based of psychology research) from people/ groups that feel they have no power or low self-esteem. Now I could spend years discussing this and I’m sure all of us have an opinion about it—not the point. The point is I’m about as easy going as they come and even I have rage, which means the world truly must be going mad.

My purpose for bringing it up is what are we going to do about it? I don’t have answers; honestly I’m trying with all my might to keep my own demons under wraps. But I think talking about it, developing a plan even if it’s just for you is helpful.

I spend everyday trying to figure out ways to make my tiny circle of the world better. How can I be of service? How can I help? What can I do to make a difference right now for the people I have contact with? I journal, I write, I talk to people, I scream and sometimes I beat the crap out of a bozo the clown punching bag. It won’t stop ISIS, or injustice or mean people, but its baby steps.

I do know that ignoring it or shoving blame onto others isn’t solving any problems either. At least my ideas are positive and/ or not hurtful. So if I see you and give you a hug—chances it was to cool my dragons more than to help yours. And if you see me in this pair of shoes—I might suggest running the other direction useless you wanna meet my rage—in that case wear a fireproof suit and bring chocolate.

Laura

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Love America Style

July 3, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Blame the old TV show ‘Love America Style’… “Do it in the red white blue…” for somehow making 4th of July in my opinion the sexiest of holidays.  You can have Valentines day, I’m not a fan. I find nothing romantic about a ‘made for Hallmark’ holiday. It is way more thrilling to get cards, candy, flowers etc.… on any random day—just cause. Now that is romantic!

For those unfamiliar with the show ‘Love America Style’ its on YouTube. It was a TV show from the 70s that I’m sure I was too young to be watching, but a single mom can’t control everything.  My older brothers probably understood the sexy innuendo more than me. The theme song lyric’s were “love America style…do it in the red white blue” and the accompanying visual was of fireworks exploding in the air. I wonder what Freud would of thought of this? Hmmmm

Anyhow the short vignettes always had to do with love, sex and romance. By today’s standards adorably quaint, back then very scandalous for TV. Or maybe it was my age and the reaction of my mother when she found us watching the program.

Anyhow I love fireworks and so I loved the opening credits of this show.

Maybe it was that show or something else but I think there is nothing more romantic than a long summer day followed by a warm summer night lying on the beach watching fireworks over the ocean hopefully with someone you would like to do it with in the red white and blue. Happy 4th.

Laura

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I Confess

June 26, 2016 By Leave a Comment

”I wouldn’t take it as a compliment if someone looked at one of my shoes and said, ‘Oh, that looks like a comfortable shoe.’ There is a heel that is too high to walk in, certainly. But who cares? You don’t have to walk in high heels.

Christian Louboutin

Mr. Louboutin I confess I am a huge fan of your work. I adore your shoes, for their beauty and god knows they are not comfortable. But most of us still have to walk, at least a bit, even in your shoes. I know the valet to the table is a short walk, or the car to the bedroom but still some walking happened. Unless we can all get carried about Cleopatra style to every room/ event. Which I’m not against, but for practical purposes it’s hard to travel this way. Everywhere I go I need 4 men to carry me on a chaise. Okay this is a better idea than I originally thought, but still not realistic.

I confess I love skyscraper high CFM heels, I wear them and I know they are bad for my feet, knees, hips and back. What makes it worse (full confession) I am a licensed physical therapist. Yup technically Dr. Laura. So I REALLY know how horrible these beauties are for my body. Its like finding out your doctor smokes. I would never let my patients see me in the shoes I love; they are very hard on your body. They cause foot deformities, nerve entrapment, increase arthritic changes in feet, knees and hips and are just plain horrible on spinal alignment leading to a barrage of lumbar problems.

And yes I still wear them. I justify it by only wearing them on stage or in the above-mentioned scenarios, but still I know they are not healthy. Will I stop—no.

We all have vices and bad habits, I don’t eat fast food, I don’t smoke, I wear sunscreen, I exercise and I don’t drink soda…. I could go on for a while of all my healthy choices— but for now I will carry on with my vice, my addiction. I confess I’m not ready to end my obsession – I’m sorry feet.

 

 

 

 

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It was the Shoes

June 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment

No good story ever started with ‘while I was eating a salad’… True.

Well-behaved women rarely make history. True.

Great things never come from comfort shoes.

Crocs will never make any head lines, turn heads or get noticed except for being unattractive. Ok, not sure if this is universally true of just my truth.

But when recounting my most outrageous adventures, I can always remember the shoes I was wearing. It might be because I’m into shoes and this detail sticks with me, or maybe the shoes had a super power that advanced the adventure and mere commonplace shoes do not have this clout?

These gold beauties recently crashed a wedding. I don’t like to think of myself as an uninvited guest that is rude intrusive behavior. So we will go with I was a ‘surprise guest’ or maybe ‘bonus invitee’. Yes bonus celebrator on couple X’s special day. I never learned the names of the newlyweds. But I did toast to their happiness – cause if you’re going to crash a wedding, by all means immerse your self completely. Don’t hold back. The reluctant timid party crasher just doesn’t seem fitting.

I will confess I did not start my day with a to do list that included invading a private event. I did however plan to meet a friend for dinner in a swanky joint in Newport Beach. I arrived a bit early and took a seat in the lounge to wait. I could see the wedding reception in full force from my vantage point. Sitting alone enjoying a beautiful view of the Pacific and a few minutes of relaxing clam was not a bad was to spend part of a Saturday evening.  Two groomsmen in tuxes sauntered up to the bar area ordered drinks then turned to look out and then spotted me. Sharped dressed men are always attractive, so my view just became even better. They asked me why I wasn’t seating outside with the rest of the attendees. I told them I was waiting for a friend. Then one of them said while I was waiting in should dance with him. I politely declined his offer and they returned to the celebration.

A few minutes later he returned and this time was more insistent that I join him on the dance floor. He was stag at a wedding and really just wanted to dance. I have always believed that if you are asked to dance, barring creepiness or other similar factors you should accept. Dancing is more fun than watching people dance. So I joined the celebration. It was a very fun reception, truly a joyous event. I never did meet the bride and groom, but they looked as if they were very much in love and having a blast at their party. So to them—cheers. And to this pair of shoes- well done. I’m pretty sure it was the shoes that propelled me into this party.

Laura

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I Believe in Love

June 12, 2016 By Leave a Comment

I believe in love. 

But I know hate is real.

I believe in justice.

But injustice happens all the time.

I believe people deserve to feel joy, but sadly millions have no idea what joy is.

I believe in kindness, because it really does matter.

I believe a good nights sleep can help everyone see things more clearly.

I think a lot of personal challenges can be helped by chocolate, hugs, laughing and by a caring listener.

And I believe education is the only way we can evolve into to a better more tolerant society.

Hate, and their crimes are born from fear.  Fear is insecurity and ignorance and sadly those who are ignorant teach it.

I don’t have the answers. I don’t profess to know how to solve the world’s complicated issues, but what we collectively are doing is clearly not working. Time to try something else. Hate, blame, lapels and finger pointing has not improved our world.

I think John Lennon was heading us in a good direction…

“Imagine there’s no countries

It isn’t hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people living life in peace,

You may say I’m a dreamer

But I’m not the only one

I hope some day you’ll join us…”

Just for a day try some extra kindness—maybe we can start a positive revolution.

Laura

 

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History Repeats Itself

May 22, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Maybe if you lived in a cave you might not have heard this phase, history repeats itself. Is it true? Well yes and hopefully no. There are a few too many horrible historical events I hope will never be repeated. But I do know fashion repeats itself. Some fashions when they return are welcome and others I always wanna know why. Lets pray mullets will never return, but I can guarantee you at some point they will. Fanny packs can die forever as well. And as a lover of beautiful shoes I hope crocs never return. But honestly I never would of guessed there would be a return of neon. I am (barely;o) old enough to remember the last time neon was the rage. And when it finally was extinguished from society it was nearly burned at the stake. I remember seeing many “ friends don’t let friends wear neon” t-shirts. The fashion trend did not just fade away; it was chased out of town with venom. By the time neon was out it was hated. But low and behold it’s back. And not hated, actually it looks kinda fresh and new. And I can’t believe but I just purchased neon athletic shoes—and I really like the brightness. So friends no intervention is needed, of my own free will I choose to wear neon.  History has repeated.

 

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Sometimes it’s Done

May 15, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Just like jobs, vacations, relationships and yes shoes, sometimes you just have to call it like it is, done. When I travel I try to streamline the shoe assortment to the bare minimum. Shoes are heavy and take up a lot of space in luggage. Plus I like to travel as light as possible. Less stuff means less to haul around. Which is so much easier if you are on a lot of trains, planes and subways… etc. A big heavy suitcase is cumbersome, annoying and exhausting to lug around.

I also like to travel with items, clothes and particularly shoes that are on their way out i.e. done. Getting one last spin out of them before setting them free in the world. Sadly I don’t know their fate after I have released them, but I hope they found a new purpose. One pair of shoes I loved called my NYC shoes I actually gave a watery funeral and threw them in the Hudson River. They were spectacular filigreed red velvet pumps but their life was over and deserved to be put to rest. My friend Dana and I each threw in a shoe and then cheered to the fun experiences enjoyed while donning these beauties.

My latest adventure I deemed Laurapalooza, rather pretentious sounding, but I really only meant it as fun.  During this holiday aka Laurapalooza I left a very serviceable workhorse pair of CFMs in Brussels. These shoes were by no means a favorite, but I did like them and they served me well. They cruised all over the Mediterranean last year with me and went on two military tours. I will forever fondly remember them as the shoes I was wearing when I fell off stage while performing in Moron, Spain. I am so lucky not to have really hurt myself.  Four feet into the abyss is a big drop. Yes the spot light was that bright. I could see nothing including the edge of the stage. That whole night is another story for another time.

Why did this pair get to travel so much? Because they were easy to match with many things and they were not among my pricey favorites. Never travel with anything you can’t bare to lose, words of wisdom. Trust me. As an added bonus I procured these babies on sale, deeply on sale in Boston. Thank you my road worthy friend, we traveled well together. Adieu.

Laura

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Trickle up & Designer Shoes

May 8, 2016 By Leave a Comment

As in fashion just like in economics there are the theories about where fashion trends come from. Do the less wealthy try to emulate the rich and famous i.e. trickle down. Or do the haute couture houses get ideas from the creatives on the street i.e. trickle up. And then manufacture the items with costly materials and a fancy brand name. Which allows them to charge insane prices because we like the quality. I mean the prestige or the fancy shop in which we procured the item. Its true, shopping in a posh boutique is always far more delightful than scouring the rakes at Ross.

Anyhow because I’m a keen observer in footwear trends (its hobby of mine if you haven’t noticed yet) I have noted in the last few years much more trickle up rather than trickle down in shoe styles.

I was in Monaco last week, you know like everyone ;o) It is one of the wealthiest countries in the world per capita. Of course the country is the size of a pimple in the grand scheme of things. There were Ferraris and designer everything is everywhere. So I was window-shopping because that is still free when I ran across a window display at the Gucci boutique. These shoes are very reminiscent of past designs from Betsey Johnson and the Taylor Says brands. Not cheap brands in the least but compared to Gucci they are at least in the I don’t need to take out a loan price range. And if you want to get  even grittier the recent designs in higher end brands are really coming from the streets, think Melrose Ave the non fancy part to the east, those familiar with LA. Anyhow I like it. I like that these shoes are fun. The ultra rich shouldn’t have to wear boring shoes just cause they have money.  Ferragamo makes excellent shoes, not question but no one will ever excuse them of being playful. Three cheers for fun!

Laura

 

 

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I Love Summer

April 25, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Many people have a favorite season. I love the long days of summertime sunshine. I know surprising if you have ever seen me in person since I am glow in the dark white.  But I am truly solar powered.  Summer gives me energy. It makes me feels like I can do anything. The attitude of summer is less serious and more fun, attributes I live my life in quest of achieving.  No other season has vacation attached to its identity.  I know its not technically not summer yet (summer solstice is June 20th) But the last week at least in Southern Cali has been full of glorious perfect days – just like summer.

Summertime is even one of my favorite songs from Gershwin’s classic to Sublime’s version. Inspiring hope and love.
So get cracking! Plan a holiday, BBQ, bonfire on the beach or impromptu patio party and invite me. Or just follow me – and I’ll find the fun I have a knack for it.

Happy (almost) summer

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